When you’re preparing for a new baby, you want to preserve all those beautiful moments as the treasured memories they are. As a baby photographer in Bucks County, I have the honor of doing this for so many families across the area every year. But there are two different types of photography that can help you preserve your baby’s early days: first 48 photography and newborn photography. Let’s talk about the differences between them and how to choose what you want for your growing family.
What Is the Difference Between Fresh 48 Photography and Newborn Photography?
Fresh 48 photography and newborn photography both center around beautiful new babies, but they’re not the same thing. Fresh 48 photography is a photo session that takes place within 48 hours of your baby’s birth. These portraits are typically taken at the hospital and they highlight the life-changing experience of meeting your little one and bonding with them in those first hours.
Newborn photography, on the other hand, takes place later - usually when your baby is 2-4 weeks old. Your baby is still in the newborn stage but you’ve had some time to, in most cases, get home from the hospital and settle in with your baby. These portraits are taken in my fully outfitted photo studio in Doylestown, PA.
How Are the Finished Portraits Different in Fresh 48 Photography vs. Newborn Photography?
The pictures you receive from a fresh 48 photo session and a newborn photo session have distinct differences. First, fresh 48 photography focuses on the experience of meeting and bonding with your baby in their first hours. The photos largely feature your newly growing family rather than your baby solo. They will also, of course, have the hospital room in the background.
Newborn photography is more varied. Depending on the type of session you choose, we can include portraits of your beautiful family with the new baby, but many of the portraits will be solo portraits of your little one. We have much more ability to customize the session with different color schemes, backgrounds, sets, etc. Most of the time that you see professional portraits of a newborn, you’re seeing photos from newborn photography rather than fresh 48 photography.
Can You Choose Fresh 48 Photography and Newborn Photography or Do You Need to Choose One?
You can absolutely have both fresh 48 photography and newborn photography! These two sessions have their own aesthetics and purposes, so you don’t have to choose one over the other but you don’t have to have both either - you can get beautiful portraits you’ll cherish from either session.
Whether you want fresh 48 photos, newborn portraits, or both, I’m excited to help you celebrate this amazing chapter of your family’s story. Contact Samantha Wilson Photography and let’s chat!
